The Study of Ethnomusicology

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The first edition of this book has become a classic in ethnomusicology. This revised edition, released twenty-two years later, continues to provide engaging analysis and the most comprehensive discussion of the field. It examines ethnomusicology as the comparative study of the world's musics and the anthropological study of all music. The author selects thirty-one concepts and issues that have sparked ongoing debate among ethnomusicologists, adding four new chapters and updating the text to reflect recent developments. Each chapter explores its topic historically and includes case studies, many drawn from the author's fieldwork. His research spans the Middle East, Western urban settings, and North American Indian societies, enhancing our understanding of the diversity and universality of global music. The new chapters focus on the practice and writing of musical ethnography, the scholarly study of instruments, women's music and their roles, and the ethnomusicologist's examination of their own culture. This edition deepens the exploration of these critical issues, making it an essential resource for anyone interested in the field.